SYNOPSES AND DESCRIPTIONS. 29 



broad, rouiulod at the c-iul. Ventrak 120— i:33. Anal bitid. Subcaudals 



50 — 59 pairs. 



Li-ht greyish-brown, scales punctulate with Idack, with three alternating 

 series of bounded black spots on each side. Tlie median series of spots 

 are the largest, four or live scales in width, alxuit iifty from head to vent, 

 and twenty-five on the tail. The spots of the upper series are much 

 smaller and less distinct than those of the median; and those of the 

 lower are still smaller and more faint. Belly yellowish, with a series of 

 black spots near each edge. These spots are on the bases of the ventrals, 

 a short distance from the extremity. Head to upper edge of labials dark 

 brown, with small yellow spots on the occiput; yellow beneath. Illinois. 



Storeria. 



Baird & Girard, lS5n. 



8mall species. Moderately elongate, rounded ; head short, narrow, very 

 little larger than the neck, crown flat; tail tapering. Head-shields normal, 

 anterior short. Loreal absent or present. Nasal in two parts, nostril be- 

 tween, or grooved below the nostril. Teeth equal, smooth. Scales keeled, 

 in 15—17 rows. Anal divided or entire. Subcaudals in two rows. Hardly 

 to be ranked higher than as a subgenus of Tropidonotm. Canada to Mexico. 

 Anal bifid ; 



a loreal ; orbitals 2 — 3 ; 



scales in 15 rows sforenoides. 



No loreal; orbitals 2 — 2; 



scales in 15 rows occi^pitomaculata. 



orbitals 1—2; 

 scales in 17 rows dekcnji. 



Anal" entire; 



No loreal; scales in 15 rows; orbitals 1—2. 



copei. 



A loreal; scales in 17 rows; 



nasal grooved Itneata. 



Storeria storerioides. 



TropidoC'lonium stouerioides Cope, ISli."), Pi: Ar. N. Sc, Phil., 100. 



Small, not slender, muzzle obtuse, in general similar to 6'. dekayi. Nasal 

 divided or grooved. Head-shields nine. Loreal trapezoidal touching the 

 aecurved prefrontals at the superior angle, sometimes entering the orbit 



